Chapter 168 Part 2
**Avery**
Cassius steps closer, his hand brushing mine, his touch grounding me in the here and now. “We’re here, Avery,” he murmurs, his voice steady despite the storm brewing in his piercing blue eyes. “Whatever you decide, you’re not alone in this.” His words are a balm, but they don’t ease the knot in my stomach. The choice is mine, and the consequences are unimaginable.
I nod, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and fears. The guardian’s promise of power is tempting—a force that could tip the scales in our favor against the darkness that looms. But the cost… losing one of them forever. The thought is a knife twisting in my heart. I glance at each of them, my mates, my loves, my strength. Cassius, with his lean, athletic build and unruly dirty blonde hair. Clint, his eyes piercing through my turmoil, his casual yet refined style a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. Conner, his broad shoulders and lean muscles a testament to his quiet strength. James, his regal presence commanding attention, his bright green eyes seeming to pierce through my soul. Donn, smirking as always, his void eyes glinting with mischief. And Vincent, his commanding presence exuding both danger and allure, his amber eyes flickering with concern.
Clint’s gaze meets mine, and I see the determination in his eyes. “You don’t have to do this alone,” he says, his voice firm. “We’re your strength. Your shield. Whatever you choose, we’ll stand with you.” His words are a reminder of the bond we share, but they don’t make the decision any easier.
I swallow hard, my throat tight. “But what if I choose wrong? What if I lose one of you?” My voice breaks, and I can’t finish the thought. The idea of losing any one of them is unbearable.
Conner interrupts, his voice calm but resolute. “You won’t. We’re in this together. No matter what.” His words are a lifeline, but the fear remains. What if the guardian’s power is the only way to save us all? What if I’m choosing between their lives and the fate of the world?
James steps forward, his regal presence commanding attention. “Avery, you are the Queen of Dragons. Your decisions shape our destiny. Trust yourself. You’ve led us this far, and we’ve followed without hesitation. We’ll continue to do so.” His confidence is unwavering, but it doesn’t silence the doubts in my mind.
Donn smirks, his usual mischief tinged with a rare seriousness. “Well, if you’re going to lose one of us, make it count. Though I’d rather not be the sacrificial lamb. I’ve got plans, you know.” His attempt at levity eases the tension momentarily, but the gravity of the situation remains.
Vincent’s deep voice rumbles, his eyes flickering with a mix of concern and determination. “We’ve faced worse odds. We’ll find another way. We always have.” His words are a reminder of our resilience, but they don’t erase the fear.
Their words are a bandage to my torn soul, but the decision remains mine. I close my eyes, the images of our journey flashing through my mind—the battles, the sacrifices, the love that binds us. The Primal Flame, the prophecy, the threat of the malevolent force… every step has led us here. I think of the nights we’ve shared, the laughter, the tears, the passion that ignites between us. The way Cassius’s hands feel on my skin, the way Clint’s lips curve into a smile when he’s teasing me, the way Conner’s quiet strength grounds me. James’s regal embrace, Donn’s smirk that hides a heart as deep as the ocean, and Vincent’s commanding presence that makes me feel both safe and dangerously alive. How can I choose to lose any of that?
“What if there’s another way?” I whisper, more to myself than to them. “What if we don’t have to choose between power and love?” My voice trembles, but the idea takes root in my mind. There has to be another path, one that doesn’t require sacrifice.
Cassius’s hand tightens around mine. “Then we’ll find it. We’ve never backed down from a challenge, and we’re not about to start now.” His confidence is infectious, and I feel a spark of hope ignite within me.
I open my eyes, determination hardening my resolve. “We’re not done yet. There’s still Altima Island, the Primal Flame, the darkness we need to face. We don’t have to make this choice now. Not here. Not like this.”
Clint’s lips quirk into a half-smile, his green eyes sparkling with determination. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s keep moving forward. We’ve got a world to save, after all.”
Conner nods, his strategic mind already turning. “We’ll find another path. One that doesn’t require sacrifice. One that strengthens us instead of breaking us.”
James’s gaze is intense, his confidence unwavering. “Then lead us, Avery. We’ll follow wherever you go. Your strength is our strength.”
Donn rolls his eyes, but there’s a softness in his smirk. “Just don’t get us all killed, will you? I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”
Vincent’s voice is a low growl, his presence commanding. “We’ll face whatever comes, and we’ll emerge victorious.”
I take a step forward, my heart swelling with gratitude and love. “Then let’s go. Altima Island awaits, and so does our destiny. We’ll find another way. We always do.”
Draven, Rory, and Jace found us as we had made our decision. Draven puts his hand on my shoulder. “Avery, keep trusting yourself. We all love and believe in you. Keep believing in yourself.”
As we leave the glade, the weight of the guardian’s offer lingers, but it’s no longer a burden I carry alone. With my mates by my side, I know we’ll find a way—a way that doesn’t require sacrifice, a way that strengthens our bond and our power. The path ahead is uncertain, fraught with danger and unknowns, but one thing is clear: we’re unstoppable.
The forest envelops us, the trees whispering secrets of ancient times. The journey continues, the choice unresolved, but our love and unity remain our greatest strength. And in that, I find hope. Hope that we’ll find Altima Island, hope that we’ll claim the Primal Flame, hope that we’ll defeat the darkness that threatens our world. Hope that our love will be enough.
As we walk, I feel their hands on me—Cassius’s strong grip, Clint’s reassuring touch, Conner’s steady presence, James’s regal embrace, Donn’s playful nudge, Vincent’s commanding hold. Draven lightly squeezed my shoulder. Rory playfully rubbing up against me, and Jace blushing every time his hand lightly touches mine. Their touches ground me, remind me of who I am and what we are together. We’re not just mates and friends; we’re a family, a force of nature, a storm that refuses to be tamed.
The sun breaks through the canopy, casting dappled light on our path. I take a deep breath, the scent of pine and earth filling my lungs. The world feels alive, vibrant, and full of possibility.
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